Ohio

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Ohio’s weather brings hot, humid summers with temperatures often in the 80s and cold winters averaging in the 20s and 30s, with occasional snowfall. The state is prone to severe thunderstorms, spring tornadoes, and occasional winter storms, including ice and snow.
  
  Tornados
  Ohio’s peak tornado season spans from April to July, with an average of 20-30 tornadoes occurring annually. If you hear a siren, it's crucial to immediately head to your designated tornado shelter or safe room. It's also wise to keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for several days and to regularly practice your family's tornado plan, just as you would a fire escape plan.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and take act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Dayton
  
  Located northeast of Dayton, Wright-Patterson is one of the largest Air Force bases in the U.S. The suburban areas of Centerville/Kettering are located south of Dayton, and combine historic charm, excellent schools, and access to parks and recreational facilities. Centerville is known for its vibrant community events, while Kettering offers a mix of suburban and urban living with a range of housing options. From Dayton expect a commute of 30-40 minutes to WPAFB
  Fairborn is located adjacent to WPAFB and offers affordable housing and a small-town feel with easy access to the base. Commute from Fairborn to WPAFB is typically 10-20 minutes.
  Beavercreek is also a popular choice for military families due to its proximity to WPAFB, excellent schools, and family-friendly neighborhoods. Commutes from Beavercreek are typically 25-30 minutes.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
  
  Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

  • Wright-Patterson Air Force Base offers a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include the Dodge Fitness Center, swimming pools, FamCamp RV park, arts and crafts center, auto hobby shop, golf course, and lodging at the Air Force Inns. Additionally, the base features the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. For the most updated information on Wright-Patterson AFB MWR facilities and services > visit Wright-Patterson
• Getting Around
  Getting around Dayton is mostly car dependent. Traffic near the base can be heavier during shift changes and base events. Public transportation options are limited, with Dayton offering some bus services, but most people rely on personal vehicles for convenience and flexibility.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  The 88th Medical Group, which operates the Wright-Patterson Medical Center, provides comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
  
   
• Critters & Wildlife
  Ohio is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Eastern Copperhead and the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, especially in wooded and grassy areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, ants, and occasional encounters with black bears, particularly in more rural regions. Compared to Canada, Ohio has a wider variety of reptiles and insects due to its humid climate, so routine pest control is recommended to manage ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests during the warmer months.
• Children's Education
  There are several public schools, along with a few charter schools, within a 25-mile radius of Dayton.

  • Dayton Public Schools District
  • Northmont City Schools
  • Trotwood-Madison City Schools
  • The Dayton Early College Academy
  • Dayton International School: Located in Dayton, Dayton International School is a non-profit institution offering bilingual education with an immersion approach, catering to the needs of bilingual education in the Dayton area. As a private institution, enrollment may have specific requirements and deadlines. It's advisable to contact the school directly for detailed information.

  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  
  Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location.
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles provides guidelines for transferring out-of-state titles and licenses.